Tool for rounding edges of strip material



y 1969 KARL-HEINZ KATER ET AL 3,456, 3

TOOL FOR ROUNDING EDGES OF STRIP MATERIAL Filed Dec. 7, 1965 F76. m F/G. w

F/GEa /G. 2b

I/VVF/VTUP KARL-HE/NZ KATER HRNS WODTKE wwd United States Patent Int. Cl. 1521b 1/2 2, 1/00, 39/00 US. Cl. 72199 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A device for use in metallurgical plants for rounding the edges of strip ribbons which have been separated from a large sheet of steel and which is arranged to operate on the ribbons when they are moved through a single plane includes a mounting shaft arranged on each side of the ribbons upon which the rounding tools are mounted. A feature of the construction is that the rounding tools are arranged in pairs on respective opposite sides of the ribbons and they include rounding flange formations to round both the tops and the bottoms of the ribbons. In the preferred arrangement at least two rounding tools are combined into a single unit so that a central spacer disk or rounding flange element serves to round both the tops and bottom edges of two adjacent ribbons which are fed between the combined tool formation. The construction is such that rounding on the top and bottom of the separated ribbon may be effected at a single level of operation, and thus the expense of operating at more than one level is avoided.

This invention relates in general to metal-forming devices, and in particular to a device for use in association with a longitudinal divider for strip steel for machining the longitudinal edges of the strip ribbons obtained by the division.

It is economical to roll strip-type metal material as Wide as possible and thereafter to divide the rolled strip lengthwise into strip ribbons of desired width. This process can be carried out on a hot as well as a cold strip. The strips which are thus divided, however, have the disadvantage compared with strips which are rolled directly in respect to their edges which are sharp and have burrs adhering to them. In order to eliminate this deficiency as compared with strips with natural edges, devices have become known in which strip edges are rounded by rolls. For this purpose the strips are machined individually on a separate installation after longitudinal division. This, however, has the disadvantage of very high cost since it requires additional rounding devices and feed and takeup spools and additional operators to run them. Additional processes are known where a lengthwise cutting system is followed by a rounding device. But since after the longitudinal division the individual strips Will lie with their edges close together, such processes make it necessary to pull the individual strips apart in different levels or to twist them or to set them upright so as to be able to operate on the edges with the respective roller tools. The axes of the roller tools are then arranged at right angles to the strip surface. The disadvantages of these known devices consists in the considerable expenditure which is necessary to bring the strip into the desired position.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a device for machining the longitudinal edges of the strip ribbons obtained by the division of the strip ice material by employing at least one pair of oppositely set tools for the machining of each longitudinal edge. The arrangement is such that it will not be necessary to move the individual strip ribbons out of their normal positions, and it is therefore not necessary to pull the individual strip ribbons apart into different planes or to twist them or to set them upright. In order to solve such a problem, the invention discloses an arrangement of tools facing one strip side on one or more axes or shafts which lie parallel to the strip surface and at right angles to the running direction of the strip. This arrangement may be such that the straight line intersecting the medium line of the two axes or shafts of a pair of tools extend normally to the strip surface. In some instances an arrangement is advantageous Where the straight lines normal to the strip surface and intersecting the median line of one axis or shaft of the tool pair are spaced from the straight lines normal to the strip surface but intersecting the median line of the other axis or shaft of the tool pair.

In accordance with one feature of the invention, two tool pairs are arranged side by side between two strip ribbons to form one bilaterally operative tool pair. Similar arrangement is effected using a spacing sleeve between the two tools arranged on one axis or shaft for the edge machining of the strip ribbon. The subdivision of the spacing sleeve provides means for making the device usable on a short time basis and at little cost for a variety of strip widths. The division sleeves may advantageously comprise a material such as iron or plastic, the latter having the advantage of greatly protecting the surface of the strip.

In an arrangement where at least two axes or shafts on both sides of the strip are provided for oppositely set tools, an appropriate arrangement is to combine the tools as one unit for the machining of both edges of strip ribbons which are arranged in a constantly alternating sequence on one end of the other of the axis or shaft. It is also advantageous to arrange the tools in a combined manner as one unit for the machining of both edges of a strip ribbon which is freely movable in axial direction on the axis or shaft. A feature of the invention is that the rounding device may be installed in an existing system for the longitudinal division of steel sheets into individual ribbon strips and which does not require moving the individual strip ribbon out of their normal position. A feature of the arrangement is that the tool axes are set parallel to the strip surface rather than as before at right angles thereto. It has thus become possible to round several strips alongside each other without having to move them out of their normal position.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a rounding device for steel strip material which has been severed longitudinally and which permits the steel ribbons thus formed to be operated upon and rounded while they are moved away from the longitudinal severing.

A further object of the invention is to provide a rounding device for steel strips and the like in which the steel may be continuously moved after it is formed and in the same plane while the edges thereof are rounded.

A further object of the invention is to provide a rounding device which is simple in design, rugged in construction and economical to manufacture.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its use, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated and described preferred embodiments of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1a is a front elevational view of a device for rounding two strip ribbons which run alongside each other, with the mounting tools firmly mounted on two separate shafts as constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 1b is a side elevational view of the rounding apparatus indicated in FIG. 1a;

FIG. 2a is a view similar to FIG. 1a of another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2b is a view similar to FIG. 1b of the embodiment indicated in FIG. 2a;

FIG. 3a is a view similar to FIG. 1a of still another embodiment of the device; and

FIG. 3b is a view similar to FIG. 1b of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3a.

Referring to the drawings in particular, the invention embodied therein, as indicated in FIGS. 1a and 1b, shows a diagrammatic representation of a device for rounding the edges of strip ribbons which are arranged to run along-side each other in the same plane. The rounding tools are mounted on two separate shafts, an upper shaft being offset from a lower shaft 5'. The strip ribbons 1a and 1b of steel are directed between spacer disks 2, 2a and 2b. The spacer disks are separated and maintained at a selected distance from each other by spacing bushings 3 and 3a. The edges of the strip materials 1a and 1b are rounded by means of rounding disks 4, 4a and 4b. The rounding disks 4, 4a and 4b may be designed as needed either as smooth disks for initial rolling or as toothed disks for initial filing or initial milling of the edges. All of these elements are arranged on the respective shafts 5 and 5 which may be driven in the same direction or in opposite directions. The spacer disk 2, the spaced bushing 3 and the rounding disk 4 are assembled over the shaft in a desired orientation and are held together by clamping ring 6 and bushing 7.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 2a and 2b, rounding tool assemblies generally designated 20 and 22 are arranged on respective mounting shafts 2 4and 26. The assemblies 20 and 22 include the same spacer disks 2, bushings 3, and rounding disks 4 as in the previous embodiment. They are mounted, however, on the respective shafts 24 and 26 for adjustable longitudinal movement in respect to the associated shafts. For this purpose, the shafts are provided with slots 24a and 26a which facilitate the longitudinal displaceable movement of the tool sets by parts, such as a key (not shown), which engage in the respective slots. In this manner, the rounding sets 20 and 22 are able to yield to a different lateral pressure for the individual strips. In this embodiment, the shafts 24 and 26 are rotatably mounted in end pedestals 28 and 30, respectively, in vertical alignment. In some instances it is advantageous to combine the showings of FIGS. 1 and 2a to provide for the shifting lateral movement of the rounding tool sets as well as the offset arrangement of their shafts in a single arrangement.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 3a and 312, two sets of shafts are employed in vertically spaced relationship, .32 and 34, and 36 and 38. The shafts 32 and 34 are arranged on respective opposite sides of the strip ribbons being treated 40a, 40b, 40c and 40d. The shafts therebelow 36 and 38 are also arranged on respective opposite sides of the ribbon material being rounded. Complete rounding tool assemblies generally designated 42 and 44 are arranged on the shafts 32 and 34 in a manner such that there is an alternate spacing between each set, so that alternate ribbons 40b and 40d are operated upon by rounding assemblies 46 and 48 which are carried by shafts 36 and 38. The assemblies 42, 44, 46 and 48 may advantageously be mounted so that they may be displaced along their respective shafts and adjusted in a displaced position.

In all of the embodiments one or both of the shafts may be driven, or the strip material may be wound so that it is pulled through the rounding device.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the inventive principles, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

What is claimed is:

1. A device for rounding the edges of ribbons of material such as steel which is separated into'a plurality of ribbons which are moved in substantially one plane away from a large steel sheet from which they are separated, comprising a shaft arranged on each side of the ribbons to be rounded substantially parallel to the surface of said ribbons, and a rounding tool carried on each of said shafts and disposed at right angles to the running direction of the ribbon in locations to round the top and bottom edges thereof substantially without directing the ribbons out of the plane at which it is being moved, said shafts being aligned vertically.

2. A device for rounding the edges of ribbons of material such as steel which is separated into a plurality of ribbons which are moved in substantially one plane away from a large steel sheet from which they are separated, comprising a shaft arranged on each side of the ribbons to be rounded substantialy parallel to the surface of said ribbons, and a rounding tool carried on each of said shafts and disposed at right angles to the running direction of the ribbon in locations to round the top and bottom edges thereof substantially without directing the ribbons out of the plane at which it is being moved, said rounding tools being displaceable axially along said shafts.

3. A device adapted to be arranged behind an apparatus for separating a steel sheet into a plurality of steel ribbons for the processing of the longitudinal edges of the ribbons which are moved in a single plane, comprising at least one pair of oppositely arranged tools for the processing of each longitudinal edge of a ribbon and between which the ribbon is fed, each of said tools having a rounding flange at each end, vertically aligned shaft means substantially parallel to the surface of the ribbon and at a right angle to the direction of movement of the ribbon for supporting said tools, each of said tools including a cylindrical bushing which is secured to its associated shaft means for rotation therewith and a spacer disk with rounding means arranged at each end of said bushing and a centrally disposed spacer disk on said bushing, said spacer disk being located to round the respective top and bottom edges of two adjacent ribbons.

4. A device, according to claim 3, wherein said bushings and said spacer disks are axially movable on their associated axle means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,315,511 4/1967 Turner 72-221 3,162,070 12/ 1964 Morgan et al. 7224'7 2,635,493 4/ 1953 Schumacher 72226 2,201,214 5/1940 Yoder 72221 2,016,141 10/1935 Geer 72--221 CHARLES W. LANHAM, Primary Examiner A. RUDER/MAN, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 72-22l, 226 

